The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-22
CHANGESINTHEC CHARTER
ALDERMAN BOGARTS PROPOSED
AMENDMENTS.

-AAs4A-AN - AeA41AN -
The Mayor to Have the Veto Power
and the Board of Aldermen to be
Elected Biennially- Reasons Why the
Amendments Are Proposed - The
Matter to be Discussed in Council.
Al the next regular meeting of the City
Council, which will be held on May 4, Alder
man Bogart'S proposed amendment to the
city's charter viii come up for consideration.
The features of the proposed amendment are
the comforting of the veto power upon the
Mayor and the changing of the Aldermanic
term from two years, Us now, TO four, half
tho members to be elected bennially.
81 had hoped to see the matter agitated,
and it was for that puapose that I moved to
lay my resolution on the table for four
weeks" Alderman Bogalt remarked yester-
day Il wanted to give the people chance
to think il over and discuss it, II it is up
proved by the public then let il pass. 1t is
the public that will he affected by the change
more than any person or set Of persons. To
the city it ought to be q matter of no little
interest, it strikes me"
THE MAYORS RESPONSIBILITY.
When the subject was first preached in
Council Alderman Boga1t stated that his
object was to make the Mayor responsible
for the citys legislation. Yesterday he reit-
Grated his view i'll that particular, and
added that good many sound business men
with whom he had talked considered that
idea good one. Now the responsibility for
the legislation is divided among the whole
Board of Aldermen. Unless there is tie,
The Mayor, although he presides, has no vote.
A chairman of O committee feels a greater
sense of responsibility for the work of the
committee than the other members do. Give
the Mayor the veto power and he will feel
she same way. In no case can it work any
more harm than the present system.
The chances of getting a good Mayor are
always better than for getting good Board
of Aldermen" the Alderman observed eff
il-advised legislation should he carried
Through Council by majority of votes, the
Mayor, if vested with the power of dfsap-
proVal, could prevent it becoming a law
unless passed over his head, and that would
take more votes than bare majority A
great many cities, perhaps the most of them,
have vested their Mayor with the veto.
THE VETO POWER.
''In New Orleans the Mayor presdes in
Council and can veto any ordinance appro-
priating money or fixing salaries, either in
whole or part. Good features he can let
stand and Objectionable ones disapprove
To pass vetoed ordinance it must receive
the votes of two-thirdS of all the members
of the board and not merely two-thirds of
those present at a meeting
''Baltimore's Mayor has the veto power,
and it takes three-fourths of all the mem
bers of Council to pass measure after his
disapproval. Nashville's Mayor has the
veto power also In Louisville two-thirds
vote is necessary to pass over a veto; in
Philadelphia a three-fifths vote of all the
members in each branch, and in Augusta a
two-thirds vote.
"The veto power was granted Atlantas
Mayor by an act passed by the Legislature
In October, 1885 In st. Louis the Mayor
can veto bills of any nature.
MAYORS OF OTHER CITIES.
''These are only few instances of cities
whose Mayors have the veto power. 1t APP
pears to be the history of all of these that as
they grew in wealth and importance they
found it necessary to centre responsibility
in the chief municipal executive. Macon,
Norfolk and other smaller cities have not
yet taken the steps to make their Mayors re-
sponsible for the legislations One
reason probably is that in small communi-
ties there is not the dread or the danger of
political corruption that there is in large
cities"
His reason for changing the terms of men,
bers of Council, Alderman Bogart says, is to
insure the city the benefit of experience. In
every kind of business experience is consid-
cred indispensable. The more a man has of
it the better he gets along In the same way
half of her Aldermen have two years expe-
Gence.
ALDERMEN ELECTED BIENNIALLY.
g The proposed ordinance will provide that
1t the January election in 1889 half of the
board of Aldermen be chosen for two years
lnd half for four years. The terms Of six
{ will expire i'll 1891 and the terms of the
pther six in 1898. The six elected in 1891
will serve until 1895, and those elected in
lS97 viii serve until 1901. That will insure
the city's having six members all of the
4 time with two years experience.
M Il found the experience of the older mem
bers of great benefit to me when first went
into the board, Mr.. Bogart stated, and he
Z added that it necessarily followed that the
srity would gain by having half of her Al
L permen experienced. 1t is not at all I'M
likely that some issue may arise and all of
8 an old board or nearly all be displaced
and q pew set of Aldermen be
put in. They would be unfamiliar
{ with the details of the working OF the citys
y machinery, and things would not go along
smoothly. Many cities have q similar plan.
a The objection to making the terms two years
"A Rnd electing every year is that that would
We too often to go through the excitement
1 nd agony of political campaign.
sA IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE.
"a II is understood that the proposed meas
q are is regarded with favor by the present
board, who do not look at it merely from
i personal point OF view. 81 cannot see that
~ If any or all of the present Aldermen are
Il candidates for reelection they would have
fgnny better chances, if as good, of being
81 elected for four years than for two years
!. term," said gentleman in speaking of the
2* subject SO far rs learned the measure
3. eelns to be quite fayorably regarded.
al If Council passes the ordinance the amend
~ ment to the charter will be drafted and pre-
4 sented to the Legislature in July.
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